Sea Dogs: Armed, now dangerous

PORTLAND – Want to explain the resurgence of the Portland Sea Dogs since the All-Star break?

Look at the arms.

Additional Photos

Charlie Cutler of the Altoona Curve is cut down at the plate on a throw from left fielder Peter Hissey – a key moment Thursday night in a 2-1 victory for the Portland Sea Dogs. Applying the tag is catcher Christian Vazquez. Photos by John Ewing/Staff Photographer

Jeremy Kehrt is 6-0 in his last eight starts for the come-alive Sea Dogs, with a 1.93 ERA in that stretch. John Ewing

Left fielder Peter Hissey highlighted the defense, throwing out Charlie Cutler at home as he tried to score from second base on a single in the fifth inning.

Kehrt, who has made 11 starts and 11 relief appearances, continues his finest season. He pitched 51/3 innings Thursday, allowing one run — a Christian Marrero homer in the second inning — on five hits and two walks. He struck out four.

Urquidez (3-2), picked up from the independent leagues in June, was lights outs in relief. After hitting the first batter he faced to load the bases in the sixth with one out, Urquidez got out of that jam and retired 11 of the last 12 batters he faced, seven by strikeout.

“It was fun out there,” Urquidez said. “Had to keep hanging up zeroes.”

The solid pitching was needed because Portland was going against Altoona’s touted right-hander, Gerrit Cole, the No. 1 overall draft pick last year, signed by Pittsburgh with an $8 million bonus.

Cole came as advertised, his lively fastball at 96-100 mph, along with a slider and change-up. He struck out nine in six innings and had a perfect game until Xander Bogaerts’ two-out double off the wall in right-center in the fifth.

Bradley went 1 for 3 against him.

“Not only does he have the repertoire, he knows how to use it,” said Bradley, who played against Cole in college and with him on Team USA.

Christian Vazquez led off the bottom of the sixth with a single. With one out, Bradley hit a chopper over the mound. Former Sea Dogs player Oscar Tejeda, playing shortstop, charged and tried to scoop it on a short hop.

But Tejeda’s glove knocked the ball into the outfield. Bradley was credited with a single and both runners advanced on the error.

Vazquez scored on Marquez Smith’s groundout to second, tying the game. Bradley made it 2-1, scoring on Cole’s wild pitch.

In the ninth, Urquidez faced one more jam after giving up his only hit — a one-out double to Jarek Cunningham. Cunningham moved to third on a groundout, but Urquidez got Stefan Welch to fly out to center.

NOTES: Kehrt is 6-0 in his last eight starts with a 1.93 ERA. The all-time home winning streak record for Portland is 12 games, set in 1996 when the Sea Dogs were a Marlins affiliate The announced paid attendance was 6,169.

Here at MaineToday Media we value our readers and are committed to growing our community by encouraging you to add to the discussion.

To ensure conscientious dialogue we have implemented a strict no-bullying policy. To participate, you must follow our Terms of Use. Click here to flag and report a comment that violates our terms of use.